Packaging device for disc-shaped items and related materials and method for packaging such discs and material

ABSTRACT

An elongated packaging device is provided for packaging at least one disc-shaped item such as, for example, a recording media disc such as a CD, a CD-ROM or a DVD, together with other materials relating to such disc or otherwise in a stacked relationship. The packaging device includes an opening at one end thereof, and it has at least one internal upper chamber and at least one internal lower chamber for respectively receiving the disc-shaped item and the other materials. These chambers are divided by a support element that is adapted to positively retain the disc-shaped item within the upper chamber. A lid is further provided for closing the opening at the end of the packaging device. A method is further provided for packaging such disc-shaped item and other material within the packaging device.

This is a divisional of application(s) Ser. No. 09/161,064 filed Sep.25, 1998 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,216,857.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates, in general, to a device for packaging anddisplaying a circular or disc-shaped media and other materials and amethod for packaging such disc-shaped media and other materials and, inparticular to containers and methods for initially packaging andthereafter repeatedly storing disc-shaped media together with or withoutother materials.

Still more particularly, the present invention relates to a new andimproved container for initially packaging and thereafter repeatedstoring of disc-shaped media and other materials in stackedrelationship, having a first chamber and a second chamber stacked on topof one another for respectively receiving and securely retaining thedisc media and the other materials.

Still more particularly, the present invention further relates to a newand improved method for initially packaging and thereafter repeatedstoring of media and other materials in stacked relationship, wherein ina preferred embodiment the other materials are placed inside an openended container, a support element is inserted into the containerthrough the open end, media is inserted into the container through theopen end and placed in seating engagement with the support element and alid is applied to the open end of the container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Packaging and storage devices for media are generally known. Disc-shapedmedia, such as CD's, DVD's or CD-ROM's, encounter special problems inhandling, packaging and storage due to their delicate, flat recordedsurfaces. Such disc media is generally sold in plastic cases which aresometimes referred to as “jewel boxes.” Such cases are generallyrectangular and have a mounting hub for holding the disc media by itscenter aperture. Such cases are usually kept after purchase of the discmedia and utilized for re-packaging, of the disc media between usage.Such jewel boxes are impractical packaging containers for shippingbecause of their small dimensions and easy breakage, and they thusrequire substantial additional packaging material or placement in largershipping containers.

Disc media is routinely sold with other materials (whether directlyrelated to the content of the disc media, i.e., ancillary, orotherwise). At the present time, disc media in such “jewel boxes” iscommonly packaged together with ancillary materials in largerrectangular shaped cardboard boxes for shipping, sale and packaging. The“jewel boxes” are necessary to reliably protect the disc media fromcontact with the ancillary materials in the larger cardboard boxes. Suchplastic case/cardboard box combination package arrangements are not onlyexpensive, they also do not lend themselves to easy and secure repeatedre-storage of the disc media and ancillary materials. They are oftendamaged during initial opening and repeated re-storage. They are oftenunable after initial opening to securely re-store the disc media (in thejewel box) and the other materials together in the cardboard packagingin a manner to preclude contact with each other. They frequently becomeunsightly after initial opening and repeated re-storage. They are,themselves, difficult to handle and store.

Other types of packaging and storage devices are needed to organize,protect, ship, display at retail and store disc media sold and/orshipped in combination with ancillary materials.

A need also exists for devices which can effectively and efficientlyorganize, protect, ship, display at retail and store disc shaped mediawith other materials.

An opportunity exists that is not being commercially exploited at thepresent time to distribute disc-shaped recording media with materialsthat are either ancillary or wholly unrelated to the content of the discmedia. This opportunity is not being exploited due to the lack of aneffective container design and method for efficiently organizing,protecting, shipping, displaying at retail and storing disc-shaped mediapackaged with other materials.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One important object of this invention is to provide a container inwhich and a method whereby disc-shaped media and ancillary materials caninitially be packaged together in stacked relationship and, afterremoval and use, they can easily be re-stored in stacked relationship ina manner so as to avoid contact there between.

Another object of this invention is to provide a container and a methodof packaging that eliminates the need for a separate case (i.e., theneed for a “jewel box”) for the disc media.

Another object of this invention is to provide a container and a methodof packaging whereby during initial storage, shipping, retailpresentation and re-packaging disc media is securely held againstmovement and protected.

Another important object of this invention is to provide a shippingcontainer in which and a method of shipping whereby disc-shaped mediaand other materials can be packaged, presented, conveyed, distributedand stored.

Another important object of this invention is to provide anaesthetically unique and compelling device and method for presenting atretail disc-shaped media and other materials which may or may not berelated to the content of the media.

Another object of this invention is to provide a container and a methodof packaging whereby the internal wall of the first chamber of thecontainer is cylindrical in shape and of a diameter slightly larger thanthe external diameter of the disc media to thus retain the disc media inthe container against movement in the plane of the disc media.

Another object of this invention is to provide a container and a methodof packaging whereby either an annular ring or protrusions mounted onthe internal wall of the first chamber define an opening slightly largerin internal diameter than the external diameter of the disc media intowhich the disc media can be inserted to thus retain the disc media inthe container against movement in the plane of the disc media.

Another object of this invention is to provide a container and a methodof packaging whereby either an annular lip or protrusions extend fromthe internal wall of the first chamber of the container and define anopening slightly smaller in internal diameter than the external diameterof the disc media on which the disc media can seat to thus retain thedisc media in the container against movement in a first directionperpendicular to the plane of the disc media.

Another object of this invention is to provide a container and a methodof packaging, whereby the container has a removal lid that attaches tothe container when the disc media is either initially positioned orsubsequently re-stored on the seat and that retains the disc mediaagainst movement in a second, opposite direction perpendicular to theplane of the disc media.

Another object with this invention is to provide a container and amethod packaging whereby the seat and lid are removable and the seat andlid can be combined to create a permanent storage and restoring packagefor the disc media alone.

Another object of this invention is to provide a container and a methodof packaging whereby an annular ring or protrusions mounted on theinternal wall of the first chamber define an annular post slightlysmaller in exterior diameter than the diameter of the center hole of thedisc media to thus retain the disc media on the post in the containeragainst movement in the plane of the disc media.

Another object of this invention is to provide a container and a methodof packaging whereby a protective insert is placed in the containerbefore the disc media to protect the disc media from contact with theother materials.

Another object of this invention is to provide a container and a methodof packaging whereby a replaceable protective insert is placed in thecontainer before the disc media to protect the disc media from contactwith the other materials, which insert can be removed to access theancillary materials and can be replaced after the ancillary materialsare re-stored in the container and before the disc media is re-stored inthe container.

Another object of this invention is to provide a container and method ofpackaging whereby the disc media support members are removable so as toafford complete and unfettered access to the second chamber beneath thedisc media.

Another object of this invention is to provide a container and method ofpackaging whereby the first chamber is within the removable lid.

Another object of this invention is to provide a container and method ofpackaging whereby the first chamber is within the removable lid and thedisc media support member is a center post fixedly attached to andextending from the inside center of the lid.

Another object of this invention is to provide a container and method ofpackaging whereby the removable lid has both a first chamber for thedisc media and a second chamber for other materials and wherein there isa third chamber in the container.

A further object of this invention is to provide a container and methodof packaging whereby the container has first and second chambers and thesecond chamber in which the other materials are stored has a secondopening besides the opening through the first chamber.

A further object of this invention is to provide container and a methodof packaging whereby the container has a closure mechanism for thesecond opening that is separate and distinct from the closure mechanismfor the opening into the second chamber through the first chamber.

A further object of this invention is to provide a container and methodof packaging whereby the container has an exterior shape for the firstchamber such that the first chamber can serve as a base for thecontainer.

Yet another important object of this invention is to provide a containerand method of packaging whereby the container has an exterior shape forthe second chamber such that the second chamber can serve as a base forthe container.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a container andmethod of packaging for disc shaped media and other materials wherebythe top and bottom covers are detachable and can be combined to create asmaller container for the disc shaped media.

To accomplish these and other objects, the container of this inventionin its preferred form is a cylinder provided with a removable lid andfirst and second chambers. The first chamber is immediately beneath thelid and has an inner structure defining circumferential support for discmedia. The inner structure is a one-piece annular collar member, with anupstanding annular ring with an interior wall having a diameter slightlylarger than the outside diameter of the disc media, and an annular lipthat defines an annular opening having a diameter slightly smaller thanthe outside diameter of the disc media, such that the disc media sits onthe annular lip and is restrained against movement in the plane of thedisc media by the ring and against movement in directions perpendicularto the plane of the disc media by the lip and the lid. The innerstructure further includes an annular clip that extends over the rim ofthe container wall in nesting configuration, and which is locked on thecontainer wall when the lid is affixed to the container, but which canbe removed after the lid and disc media are removed to facilitateunencumbered access to the second chamber of the container beneath thefirst chamber. The second chamber is the same diameter as the firstchamber and is of sufficient height to accommodate other materials thatmay or may not have relevance to the disc media. The bottom of thesecond chamber remote from the lid is flat and serves as the base of thecontainer.

In the preferred method of packaging, other materials are inserted intoa first portion of an open ended cylindrical container through the openend, inner support elements are then inserted into the container throughthe open end, a protective element is then inserted into the containerthrough the open end, disc media is then inserted into the containerthrough the open end into a second portion of the container in protectedengaging relation with the inner support elements within the container,and a lid is then applied to the container to both secure the disc mediawithin the second portion of the container and to seal the container.

The above, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of theinvention will become apparent in the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features believed characteristics of the invention are setforth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, as well asthe preferred mode of use, further objects and advantages thereof, willbest be understood by reference to the following detailed description ofillustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the novel disc packagingdevice of the present invention with the lid and disk media removed,illustrating the use of a one-piece annular collar member with anannular ring and lip;

FIG. 2 is a cut-away, cross-sectional side view of a portion of thenovel disc packaging device of FIG. 1 when the lid is on the container,along line AA illustrating the resultant first and second chambersthereof;

FIG. 2A is an alternative embodiment of the device shown in FIG. 2,wherein a protective element is inserted between the first and secondchambers;

FIG. 2B is an alternative embodiment of the device shown in FIG. 2A,showing an alternative method of insertion of the protective elementbetween the first and second chambers;

FIG. 2C is a further alternative embodiment of the device shown in FIG.2A, showing, a further alternative method of insertion of the protectiveelement between the first and second chambers;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the novel disc packaging device of thepresent invention illustrating the alternative use of abutments andprotrusions affixed to the inside wall of the container;

FIG. 3A is a cut-away, cross-sectional side view of a portion of thedevice shown in FIG. 3, along line B—B, with a disc media and othermaterials inserted and the lid affixed;

FIG. 3B is a cut-away, cross-sectional side view of an alternativeembodiment of the novel disc packaging device of the present inventionillustrating the alternative use of the upstanding rim of the base andthe inside wall of the cover in place of the abutments and protrusionsof FIG. 3;

FIG. 3C is a cut-away, cross-sectional side view of an alternativeembodiment of the novel disc packaging device of the present inventionillustrating the alternative use of the outer surface of the cover andthe inner surface of a supplementary cover in place of the abutments andprotrusions of FIG. 3;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the novel disc packaging device of thepresent invention illustrating the alternative use of a center annularpost support for the disc media suspended from spokes;

FIG. 4A is a cut-away, cross-sectional side view of the device shown inFIG. 4, along line C—C, with a disc media and other materials insertedand the lid affixed;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the novel disc packaging device of thepresent invention illustrating fingers that extend from a frame carriedby the side wall of the container and that provide center support forthe disc media;

FIG. 5A is a cut-away, cross-sectional side view of the device shown inFIG. 5, alone, line D—D, with a disc media and other materials insertedand the lid affixed;

FIGS. 6A and 6B are cross-sectional views of alternate embodiments ofthe packaging device of the present invention depicting two differentmethods of mounting the disc media support member to the device outerwall;

FIG. 7 is a cut-away, cross-sectional side view of an alternativeembodiment of the present invention with disc media and other materialsinserted, the protective element inserted and the lid closed, in whichthe first chamber in which the disc media is stored is in the cover;

FIG. 7A is a cut-away, cross-sectional side view of an alternativeembodiment of the device shown in FIG. 7, wherein the disc media isinserted into a protective envelope that is affixed to the inner surfaceof the cover;

FIGS. 8 and 8A are side perspective, partially cut-away, cross-sectionalviews of alternative embodiments of the present invention, illustratingthe use of the “lid” of the embodiment shown in FIG. 7 as the base,thereby allowing the portion of the invention defining the secondchamber to be of an irregular shape (FIG. 8) or to have deformableconstruction (FIG. 8A);

FIG. 9 is a cut-away, cross-sectional side view of an alternativeembodiment of the present invention in which the disk media is locatedin the lid and the lid and the container include second and thirdchambers, respectively, for storing other material;

FIG. 10 is a cut-away, cross-sectional view of another embodiment of thepresent invention in which the second chamber in the container forstoring other materials includes a second opening separate and distinctfrom the lid and a removable cover such that access to the secondchamber can be attained without removing the lid;

FIGS. 11 and 11A are cut-away, cross-sectional side views of anotherembodiment of the device shown in FIG. 10 in which the method ofmounting shown in FIG. 6A is utilized and wherein the removable coverfor the second chamber can be mated with the removable cover for thefirst chamber to form a mini-packaging device shown in FIG. 11A;

FIG. 12 is a cut-away, cross-sectional side view of an alternativeembodiment of the device shown in FIGS. 11 and 11A in which the methodshown in FIG. 3B for retaining the disc media is utilized and in whichthe two covers threadably engage the base and, when removed, can bethreaded together to create a mini-packaging unit;

FIGS. 12A and 12B are cut-away, cross-sectional side views ofalternative embodiments of the device shown in FIG. 12, wherein the twocovers slidably engage after removal (FIG. 12A) or threadably engageafter removal (FIG. 12B);

FIG. 13 is a cut-away, cross-sectional side view of another embodimentof the present invention in which a concave cavity on the exterior sideof the cover for the device forms the first chamber for the disc mediaand a seal encloses the disc media within the concave cavity;

FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of a further alternativeembodiment of the novel disc packaging device of the present inventionwith the lid, disk media and protective element removed, illustratingthe use of a sealed base; and

FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of a further alternativeembodiment of the novel disc packaging device of the present inventionin which the disk media is sealed within the lid, and the base isseparately sealed, and the lid and base are detachably joined togetherby an outer packaging skin that can be severed with a pull string.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference now to the figures and in particular with reference toFIG. 1, there is shown a front view of the disc packaging device 10 ofthe present invention. As illustrated, disc packaging device 10 includesa lower base component or container 12 and an upper cover component orlid 14. Lower base component 12 and upper cover component 14 areutilized to form a generally cylindrical packaging device of dimensionslightly larger than the disc shaped recording media to be stored. Endplates 16 and 18 cooperate with lower base component 12 and upper covercomponent 14 to fully enclose the cylindrical packaging space definedthereby.

The lower base component 12 of the embodiment of this invention shown inFIGS. 1 and 2 includes a side wall 20. The side wall can be constructedfrom either cardboard (i.e., natural fiber material) or plastic (i.e.,man-made synthetic material) or other material suitably rigid for thebase component to retain its shape, including metal, e.g., as in avacuum sealed, canned product.

The base component 12 can be designed to threadably receive the bottomplate 16 which is of conventional design, made of stiff cardboard,plastic, metal or some similarly rigid material and used as a cover-allscrew cap on a very wide variety of containers. Alternatively the bottomplate 16 can nest inside the side wall 20 where it is held by friction,stapling, gluing or some other means. The side wall 20 has an uppersection 22 and the upper section 22 can be threaded to accommodate theupper cover component 14 although in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and2 the cover is made of plastic and snaps on in a conventional manner.

As best seen in FIG. 2, the upper section 22 is defined by an outer wall24, an inner wall 26 and a rim 28. The cover component 14 has a sidewall 30 defined by an outer wall 32, an inner wall 34 and a rim 36. Thediameter of the inner wall 34 of the cover component is slightly greaterthan the diameter of the outer wall 24 of the base component. In theembodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, there is an inner structure 40 whichprovides circumferential support for a disc shaped media 42 storedwithin the packaging device 10. The structure 40 comprises an annularcollar 44 having an annular ring 46 and an annular lip 48. The innerstructure 40 nests within the lower base component 12. The annularcollar 44 has an outer diameter greater than the diameter of the innerwall 26 of the base component such that the annular collar extendsbeyond the inner wall 26 and sits on top of the base rim 28. The annularring 46 has an outer diameter less than the diameter of the inner wall26, such that the annular ring nests inside the inner wall 26. Theannular lip 48 has an inner diameter less than the outer diameter of thedisc shaped media 42. Thus, the disc shaped media will rest on theannular lip, inside the annular ring. In this way, movement of the discshaped media in the plane of the disc shaped media is precluded by theannular abutment 46. Movement of the disc shaped media perpendicular toits plane is prevented in one direction by the annular lip 48. When thecover component 14 is affixed to the base component 12, the cover plate18 acts to preclude movement of the disc shaped media in the oppositeperpendicular direction to the plane of the disc shaped media.

In the embodiment disclosed in FIG. 2A, a protective member 50 isattached to the annular lip 48. The protective member can be made ofplastic film or any other conventional material to provide a barrierbetween the disc shaped media and other materials 52 which can be storedin the base component 12 of the packaging device 10. The protectivemember can be permanently affixed to the annular lip or it can beaffixed at the time of assembly and shipment and removed by the consumerafter purchase, i.e., at a time when further “rough handling” that wouldcause interaction between the disc shaped media and the other materialsis less likely to occur.

In an alternative embodiment disclosed in FIG. 2B, the protectiveelement is removable and sized to seat on the annular lip 48 between theannular lip 48 and the disc shaped media. The protective element isround like the disc shaped media and has a central opening into whichone's finger can be inserted to engage, lift and remove the protectiveelement and subsequently engage, lift and replace the protectiveelement.

In an alternative embodiment disclosed in FIG. 2C, the protectiveelement 50B is flexible and is removably inserted within the lower basecomponent beneath the annular lip 48 and on top of the other materials52 placed therein. The protective element is sized to correspond to theinterior wall 26 and has a central opening into which one's finger canbe inserted to engage, lift and remove the protective element andsubsequently engage, lift and replace the protective element.Alternatively, the protective element can be provided with a lift tab orsome other conventional means whereby it can be grabbed and removed.

In the alternative embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 3A, the innerstructure 40 is modified. The annular collar 44 with annular ring 46 andannular lip 48 is replaced by discrete abutments 54 and discreteprotrusions 56. Collectively, the abutments 54 and protrusions 56 arepositioned within the lower base component 12 around the circumferenceof the inner wall 26 spaced below the rim 28, affixed to the inner wall26, so as to perform the same function as the annular ring 46 andannular lip 48. Specifically, the abutments 54 preclude movement of thedisc shaped media in the plane of the disc shaped media i.e., performingthe same function as the annular ring 46. Similarly, the protrusions 56are positioned about the inner wall 26 and collectively precludemovement of the disc shaped media in a direction perpendicular to planeof the disc shaped media i.e., performing the same function as theannular lip 48.

FIG. 3B shows a further alternative embodiment wherein the disc shapedmedia is seated on the rim 28 and movement of the disc shaped mediaperpendicular to its plane is prevented in one direction by the rim 28.When the cover 14 is affixed to the base component 12, movement of thedisc shaped media in the plane of the disc shaped media is precluded bythe inner wall 34 of the cover 14 and inner surface 14 a of the cover 14acts to preclude movement of the disc shaped media in the second,opposite perpendicular direction to the plane of the disc shaped media.

FIG. 3C shows a further alternative embodiment wherein the disc shapedmedia is seated on the outside surface 14 b of the cover 14 and movementof the disc shaped media perpendicular to its plane is prevented in onedirection by a supplementary cover 144 that snaps onto the cover 14.When the supplementary cover 144 is affixed to the cover 14, movement ofthe disc shaped media in the plane of the disc shaped media is precludedby the inner wall 144 a of the supplementary cover 144 and the innerwall 144 b of the supplementary cover 144 acts to preclude movement ofthe disc shaped media in the second, opposite perpendicular direction tothe plane of the disc shaped media. The supplementary cover 144 caninclude a chamber 144 d and a protective element 50 b can be inserted toprevent contact between the disc shaped media and whatever materials 52a are placed in the chamber 144 d.

In the alternative embodiment seen in FIGS. 4 and 4A, the inner supportstructure 40 is replaced with an inner support structure 58 thatprovides center support for the disc shaped media as opposed to thecircumferential support provided by inner structure 40. In theembodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 4A, the alternative inner structure 58includes an annular ring 60 and spokes 62 extending therefrom. As seenin FIG. 4A, the annular ring 60 has a raised portion 64 on which thedisc media 42 sits, The spokes 62 each have a finger portion 66 whichextends upwardly and outwardly terminating in an external edge member67, such that when the structure 58 is inserted into the base component12, the fingers 56 frictionally engage the inner wall 26 and sit on theupper rim 28. The structure 58 can include webbing between the fencers56 (ala the webbing in a duck's foot) comprised of a thin material toprovide protection for the disc shaped media 42 from the other materials52. Inside the annular ring 60 would be left open to allow the consumer,after removing, the cover 14, to insert their finger into the annularring and to thereby remove both the disc shaped media 42 and thestructure 58.

FIGS. 5 and 5A show a further alternative inner structure 68 comprisingan external edge member 67 taking the form of an annular collar 70 fromwhich fingers 72 extend inwardly. At the ends of the fingers 72 areupstanding projections 74. The annular collar 70 nests inside the innerwall 26 and sits on the rim 28 in the same manner as the inner structure40 in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The upstanding projections74 cooperate to provide a center support structure for the disc shapedmedia.

As seen in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the fingers 72 in the embodiment shown inFIGS. 5 and 5A do not necessarily need to be suspended from an annularcollar. Alternatively, the could be clipped to the side wall 20 as seenin FIG. 6A or they could be screwed into the side wall 20 as shown inFIG. 6B.

In an alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 7, a center support structureis provided for the disc shaped media in the upper cover component 14.Specifically, projections 80 extend from the inside wall 82 of the endplate 18. These projections 80 cooperate to provide secure support forthe disc shaped media in the cover component 14. A protective element 84can be provided which is either removably nested within the cover asshown or which can be inserted at the time of manufacture and removedand discarded by the consumer after purchase. The cover 14 can engagethe base component 12 in any variety Of conventional ways, e.g., snapon, telescope on, screw on, etc.

In a further alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 7A, the disc shapedmedia is encased within an envelope 84 a made of plastic or some othersuitable material and which is affixed to the inside wall 82 of the endplate 18. The envelope is either removably or permanently affixed, e.g.,by gluing, with double-sided tape, or by other conventional means. Theenvelope can itself constitute a re-useable packaging container for thedisc shaped media that either remains affixed to the plate 18 or can beremoved from the plate 18, e.g., so that the cover 14 can be discarded.Or the disc shaped media can be packaged within a packaging sleeve (notshown) ail of which can then be inserted into the envelope and thenremoved from the envelope once the envelope is opened.

FIGS. 8 and 8A show further alternative embodiments of the presentinvention. In FIG. 8, the fact that the disc shaped media is storedwithin the cover component 14 allows for an alternative construction ofthe container 12. In this alternative embodiment, the cover 14 serves asthe “base”. The alternative base 90, in which the other materials, inthis case, a doll 92, are stored, has an end wall structure 94 whichfrictionally encases the inner wall 96 and seals the chamber in the base90. Alternatively, wall 94 can be provided with threads so that it willthreadably engage corresponding threads on the inside wall 96. The cover14 and base 90 can be attached in the same manner as heretofore beendiscussed in connection with other embodiments.

In the embodiment showing in FIG. 8A, the cover 14 once again carriesthe disc shaped media 42 and thereby allows the base 12 to be of adeformable construction 98. The deformable member 98 has a rigidinternal support structure 100 which is designed to frictionally orthreadably engage the cover 14.

In the alternate embodiment shown In FIG. 9, the disc shaped media isstored in a first chamber 102 in the lid 14 defined by an annularsupport 40 similar in construction to the embodiment of FIG. 7, exceptthat the lid includes a second chamber 104 defined by an outer wall 106for other materials and the base 12 includes a third chamber 108. In thealternate embodiment shown in FIG. 10, which is similar in constructionto the embodiment of FIG. 4, there is provided an additional opening 110in the container 22 and a cover 116 for closing the opening 110. Thecover 116 can be removed to gain access to the chamber 104 withoutremoving the cover 14.

In the alternative embodiment shown in FIGS. 11 and 11A, an innerstructure 40 a is provided that is a slightly modified version of theinner structure 40 shown in FIG. 2, in that it includes an annular wall45 that extends around the entire circumference of the annular collar 44and engages the outer surface of the wall of the base 12, and the cover14 is configured to engage not the base 12, but rather, the annular wall45. An additional opening 110 is provided as in the embodiment of FIG.10, and a cover 116 a is provided that is a slightly modified version ofthe cover 116 of FIG. 10, in that it includes not only an outer annularwall 116 b for engaging the outer surface of the wall of the base 12,but also an inner annular wall 116 c for engaging the inner surface ofthe wall of the base 12. The circumferential dimension of the outersurface 116 d of the wall 116 b of the cover 116 a is identical to thecircumferential dimension of the outer surface 45 d of the wall 45, suchthat the covers 14 and 116 a can be removed and the cover 14 whichmatingly engaged the wall 45 will matingly engage the outer wall 116 bof the cover 116 a, as shown in FIG. 11A. In this way, as also shown inFIG. 11A, the covers 14 and 116 a can be used together as amini-packaging device for the disc shaped media 42. In the embodimentshown, the inner wall 116 c helps to securely retain the disc shapedmedia against movement. However, it is understood that the benefits ofthe invention could be achieved without such inner wall, or utilizingone of the other retaining methods disclosed herein.

In the alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 12, the disc shaped mediaseats on the rim 28 as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3B, but the cover14 x does not snap onto the base 12, but rather, threadably engages it.Furthermore, the bottom 12 x of the base 12 is flared outwardly andcontains internal threads that are of the same dimension as the internalthreads of the cover 14 x. The cover 116 x includes mating externalthreads such that the cover 116 x can be threaded into the flared bottom12 x of base 12. In this way, the covers 14 x and 116 x can be removedfrom the base 12 and threadably engaged to form a mini-packaging unitfor the disc shaped media.

In the alternative embodiments of FIGS. 12A and 12B, the need to flareout the bottom of the base 12 is eliminated. In FIG. 12A, the base 12 yreceives a bottom cover 116 y that includes an overlapping portion 117y, the outer surface 118 y of which is of equal dimension to the outersurface 118 y of which is of equal dimension to the outer wall of thebase 12 y, such that covers 14 y and 11 y can be slidably engaged toform a mini-storage unit for the disc media. In FIG. 12B, the base 12 zhas an external threaded portion 119 z and an internal threaded portion120 z each of which extends beyond the center line “C” of the wall ofthe base 12 z. In this way, when the covers 14 z and 116 z are removed,they can be threadably engaged to form a mini-storage unit for the discmedia.

FIG. 13 shows a further alternative embodiment, wherein the cover 244nestingly seats within the base 12 and the disc shaped media 42 isplaced within the concave recess 246 of the cover 244. A seal 248 madeof plastic or other suitable material is applied to the cover 244 tohold the disc shaped media within the cover 244 until the seal isremoved by the user. The disc shaped media can be retained againstmovement within the cover 244 as a result of contact with the side walls250, bottom wall 252 and seal 248, or by utilization of any of the othermethods taught herein.

FIG. 14 shows a further alternative embodiment wherein the base 12 is aseparately manufactured container of miscellaneous content, thatincludes a slightly concave end 25 1, the depth 252 of which exceeds thecombined thickness of a disc shaped media 42 and a protective element 50which are seated within the concave end 251 and held there by cover 14which snaps onto base 12. In an alternate embodiment, a protectiveelement is not used or the disc shaped media is packaged in an envelope(not shown).

FIG. 15 shows a further alternative embodiment wherein the disc shapedmedia is mounted and sealed within cover 14, e.g., as taught herein inconnection with other embodiments, and cover 14 is attached to base 12by paper packaging material skin 0 1 that binds the cover 14 and base0.12 together. Cover 14 is separated from base 12 by pulling string 302which tears the skin 301 and brakes the circumferential attachmentbetween cover 14 and base 12.

It would be understood that in each embodiment, a container device isprovided in which disc shaped media can be packaged, distributed,displayed at retail and, if desired, restored with other materials andthat, in effecting such usage, discrete chambers are provided for thedisc media and for the other materials so as to prevent contact betweenthe disc media and the other materials. In the embodiments shown inFIGS. 1 through 6B, the inner structure, whether it is the annularcollar of FIG. 1, or the discretely positioned abutment/protrusion clipsof FIG. 3, or the upstanding rim in FIG. 3B, or the lid and supplementallid of FIG. 3C, or the “spider” structure of FIG. 4, or the “trap”structure of FIG. 5, in each case is located in and helps define a firstchamber in the lower base component 12. Underneath this first chamber isa second chamber. The first chamber receives and securely holds, despiterepeated removal and re-packaging, the disc shaped media. The secondchamber receives the other materials and keeps these materials separatefrom the disc shaped media. The need for a separate “jewel case” for thedisc shaped media is thus completely eliminated.

It would be understood that the shape of the container can be variedwithout departing from the scope of the present invention, e.g., thecylindrical base 12 can be square or rectangular so long as the outerwall of the collar 40 corresponds and the collar includes spacers fromthe outer wall of the collar to the annular ring and annular lip of thepresent invention. Similar adjustments could be made to the otherembodiments as would be apparent to those skilled in the an havingreviewed this disclosure. The abutment/protrusions clips of FIG. 3 couldbe mounted on a non-cylindrical shaped base, as could the spiderstructure of FIG. 4 or the trap structure of FIG. 5.

It would be understood by those skilled in the art that the function ofthe annular ring of FIG. 1 or the abutments of FIG. 2 could be performedby an appropriately dimensioned inner wall 26 of the container 12.

It would be further understood that while several methods of attachingthe annular collar of FIG. 1, the abutment/protrusion clips of FIG. 2,the spider structure of FIG. 3 and the trap structure of FIG. 4 havebeen shown, those skilled in the alt after having reviewed thisdisclosure could devise other means of attachment without departing fromthe scope of the present invention.

It would be further understood by those skilled in the art that thedevice and method of this invention can accommodate one or more discshaped media, e.g., through the insertion of protective elementstherebetween.

What is claimed is:
 1. A packaging device comprising: a containerincluding an inside wall and a first opening; a support structuremounted about said first opening, said support structure including:center support means adapted to engage and positively retain adisc-shaped media having a central aperture; an external edge membersituated adjacent to said first opening; and at least one fingerextending from said external edge member to said center support means,wherein said center support means includes at least two projections andsaid support structure comprises at least two fingers extending fromsaid external edge member to said center support means, one of saidprojections mounted on each of said fingers; said inside wall and saidsupport structure defining a first chamber adjacent to said firstopening and a second chamber remote from said first opening, said secondchamber adapted to receive and retain materials other than saiddisc-shaped media; means to prevent movement of said center supportmeans and said disc-shaped media in the plane of said disc-shaped media;means to prevent movement of said center support and said disc-shapedmedia in a first direction perpendicular to the plane of saiddisc-shaped media; means for preventing movement of said center supportand said disc-shaped media in a second direction perpendicular to saiddisc-shaped media, said second direction being opposite said firstdirection; and means for closing said first opening.
 2. The device ofclaim 1, wherein said center support means includes at least twoprojections and said support structure includes at least two fingersmounted on said container, one said projection mounted on each saidfinger, and further including webbing between said fingers.
 3. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein said projections support an annular ringadapted to be inserted into and engaged within said annular centeraperture.
 4. A packaging device a container including an inside wall, afirst opening and a rim defining said first opening; a support structureremovably suspended from said rim about said first opening, said insidewall and said support structure defining a first chamber adjacent tosaid first opening adapted to receive and retain a disc-shaped mediahaving a central aperture and a second chamber remote from said firstopening adapted to receive and retain materials other than saiddisc-shaped media; said support structure including: center supportmeans adapted to be inserted through said aperture so as to support andpositively receive and retain said disc-shaped media; an external edgemember situated adjacent to said first opening; and at least one fingerextending from said external edge member to said center support means;means to prevent movement of said disc-shaped media relative to saidcenter support means in a direction perpendicular to the plane of saiddisc-shaped media; means to prevent movement of said disc-shaped mediain the plane of said disc-shaped media; and a lid for closing said firstopening.
 5. A method for packaging disc-shaped media together with othermaterial, said method comprising the steps of: providing a device forpackaging at least one disc-shaped media and other materials comprising:a container including a first opening; support means mounted about saidfirst opening, said support means defining a first chamber adjacent tosaid first opening and a second chamber remote from said first opening;said support means including a structure adapted to be inserted throughsaid aperture so as to support and positively receive and retain saiddisc-shaped media and to prevent movement in the plane of saiddisc-shaped media as well as in a direction perpendicular to the planeof said disc-shaped media; and means for closing said first opening;inserting said other material through said first opening and throughsaid first chamber into said second chamber; inserting said disc-shapedmedia through said first opening and into said first chamber; positivelyretaining said disc-shaped media in said first chamber by inserting saidstructure through said central aperture; and attaching said lid to saidcontainer.
 6. The method of claim 5, further including the step ofsecuring said lid to said container by means of a removable seal.
 7. Themethod of claim 5, further including the step of sealing said othermaterial in said second chamber after insertion.
 8. The method of claim5, further including the step of securing said lid to said container bymeans of a removable seal.
 9. The method of claim 5, wherein saidsupport means in said device is removable, further including the step ofinserting said support means through said first opening and removablymounting said support means in said device after the step of insertingsaid other material and before the step of inserting said disc-shapedmedia.